Prevalence and indoor environment risk factors of parent-reported food allergy symptoms among preschool children in Haikou City, China: a cross-sectional survey

Objective To understand the prevalence of parent-reported food allergy symptoms among preschool children in Haikou City and investigate indoor environmental risk factors for it. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 3,049 preschool children across eight kindergartens in Haikou City from December 2020 to January 2021. The survey aimed to analyze the influence of indoor environmental factors on parent-reported food allergy symptoms in these children. Data collection was facilitated using EpiData 3.1, while SPSS 25.0 was employed for data analysis. The Chi-square ( χ 2 ) test was applied for univariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression was utilized to examine the indoor environmental factors affecting parent-reported food allergy symptoms in children. A p -value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results The prevalence of parent-reported food allergy symptoms in preschool children was 9.25%. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression results suggested that age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.891, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.246–2.871), nationality other than the Han (OR = 1.753, 95%CI: 1.097–2.802), mother’s education level junior college and above than below junior college (OR = 1.395, 95%CI: 1.051–1.851), family allergy history (OR = 2.893, 95%CI: 2.233–3.748), the only child (OR = 1.351, 95%CI: 1.031–1.770), furniture purchased in child’s first year (OR = 1.774, 95%CI: 1.263–2.493), mould on surfaces during pregnancy (OR = 1.540, 95%CI: 1.025–2.313), damp exposure during pregnancy (OR = 1.678, 95%CI: 1.120–2.515), exposure to passive smoking (OR = 1.483, 95%CI: 1.143–1.925) were risk factors for parent-reported food allergy symptoms. Conclusion This study highlights the significant role of the indoor home environment, alongside genetic factors, in the development of parent-reported food allergy symptoms in children. Implementing strategies to reduce indoor moisture and avoid tobacco smoke exposure is essential for preventing parent-reported food allergy symptoms in preschool-aged children.